Former Arsenal skipper Patrick Viera has hailed midfielder Aaron Ramsey as the ‘best and most consistent player in the Premier League’ and praised manager Arsene Wenger for keeping faith with the Welshman.

Ramsey scored 13 goals in 27 appearances this term before picking up a thigh injury on Boxing Day and Viera believes that he is one of the reason’s that the Gunners are at the top of the top of the table.

“Aaron has been terrific and fantastic,” Vieira told reporters.

“He has been the best and most consistent player in the Premier League.”

“At the start of the season he was fantastic because of the number of goals he scored from midfield but also the number of goals he created.”

"If Arsenal are top it's because he has been the best player as the start of the season.”

The Frenchman then praised Wenger for keeping trust with talented Ramsey, whose early career at Arsenal almost came to an abrupt end after suffering a  double leg break in February 2010.

"Arsene is really good at developing and trusting young players,” Vieira continued.

“What's stopped Ramsey's progress was injuries in the last few years but now he has sorted that out.”

"Credit to Arsenal and Arsene who believed in him.”

"And credit to Aaron as well because even with all the injuries, he's kept working hard, believing in himself and that he could make it.”

"The ability has always been there and I'm pleased he is now showing what he is capable of."